Grounds for declaring ballot papers invalid

Election update # 4

A ballot paper shall be invalid:-

(a) if a voter signs his name or writes any word or figure upon it or makes any mark including a tick (✓) / cross (x), not being a mark of `X’ put under clause (c) of sub-rule (2) of rule 20, upon it by which the ballot paper becomes recognisable or by which the voter can be identified; or

(b)  if it is not printed by or under the authority of the Council or it is different in any manner from the ballot papers printed under rule 25; or

(c)  if number 1 (in Arabic numerals) is not marked on it; or

(d)  if number 1 (in Arabic numerals) is set opposite the name of more than one candidate; or

(e)  if number 1 (in Arabic numerals) and some other numbers are put opposite the name of the same candidate; or

(f)  if it is unmarked or the marks made are void or cannot be unambiguously determined; or

(g)  if it is so damaged or mutilated that its identity as a genuine ballot paper cannot be established. 

[Arabic numerals are the ten digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. These are by far the most commonly used symbols to write decimal numbers. The term often implies a decimal number, in particular when contrasted with Roman numerals. Decimal however was developed long before the Arabic numerals, using other symbols]

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The Chartered Accountants (Election to the Council) Rules, 2006 

Rules 20: Admissible number of votes to a voter. 

(1) A voter shall have one vote only, and he shall have as many preferences as there are candidates.

(2) The voter in order to cast his vote: − 

1. (a)  shall place on his ballot paper the number 1 (in Arabic numerals) in the square opposite the name of the candidate for whom he desires to vote; and

2. (b)  may, in addition, place on his ballot paper the number 2, or the numbers 2 and 3 or the numbers 2, 3 and 4 (in Arabic numerals) and so on in the squares opposite the names of other candidates in the order of his preference, upto the maximum number of preferences available to him under sub-rule (1).

3. (c)  may put `X’ against whom he has not mentioned any preference.